Category: Porsche

New Porsche Cayenne & Cayenne S Released

Porsche is one brand that I personally love but really will never understand. They make the greatest cars and they are a perfect example of great European engineering, with regards to precision, attention to detail and that fabled thing called German engineering. The latest Cayenne does follow a similar design pattern to that of the previous models, and by similar we mean nearly identical, but as they say, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it and the Cayenne has always been a good looking vehicle.

Meet the new third generation Porsche Cayenne SUV. One has to remind themselves of the fact that the Porsche Cayenne is still the most capable SUV’s ON the road, and this newest model is all about being the most dynamic, large SUV. This can be believed due to the sporty prowess the current Cayenne adopts, despite its size. In the third generation, Porsche have used more aluminum and a smaller body frame, meaning the total weight is now just under 2 tonnes at 1985 kg which is around 65 kg less than its predecessor.

The standard variant of the new Cayenne is available with a 3-litre turbocharged engine producing 250 kW and 450 N.m of torque, with performance figures standing at 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds. One up from this, the new Cayenne S model will use the same motor as the Panamera S – a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 kicking out 324 kW and 550 N.m of torque. These figures result in a 100kmh dash of 5.2 seconds, just in case you were interested.

Porsche’s new Cayenne needs to be more comfortable than anything else, all while keeping everything tidy when it comes to the twisties. Porsche’s new 4D Chassis Control makes this possible. New adaptive dampers are also standard on the Cayenne S, and an optional extra on the standard Cayenne model. For increased high speed maneuverability, the Cayenne S is now also available with rear-wheel steering-just in case you’re late for your sons soccer game.

We mentioned earlier that the new Cayenne follows a very similar design theme to the previous gen models, with the minor differences being new front air intakes and rear taillights.More significant changes can be found in the interior and the new Cayenne takes much from the Panamera with a new 12.3 inch infotainment system, analogue digital dial pack and a touch sensitive center console. The original Cayenne trademark vertical outer vents remain as is. Of course, Porsche build quality is a given with this new interior set to be of an even higher standard than the outgoing model.

Pricing isn’t available at this time but the new Porsche Cayenne is set to drop in South Africa in June 2018.

Porsche 911 GTS: All The Porsche You Need?

Flying through the cradle of mankind as the sun is lowering in the sky, onto the brakes and a delightful downshift brings more music to my ears – another crackle and pop from the Sports Exhaust system. Turning through the next bend is just as enjoyable as the rear follows the front, planted to the tarmac with inconceivable grip. The yellow McLaren MP4-12C ahead pulls a little further away before the next bend appears, we enter faster this time, drawing the bumble bee in closer again.

I’m starting to realise why the car I’m driving is part of a brand which has arguably produced some of the the greatest sports cars the world has ever seen. Is this all the Porsche you would ever need? This ran through my mind while the GTS produced more evocative sounds and lightning fast gearshifts.

There are faster Porsches than this, a thought which is actually quite hard to conceive, the question still remains though, is the Porsche 911 GTS all the Porsche you need?

The answer to that is quite possibly yes. You see, unlike a GT3, it has 4 seats ( 2 adults + 2 children) and unlike the Porsche 911 Turbo, it will set you back less than R2 million. It is, however, blisteringly fast. You will hit 100 km/h in the time you can count to about 3 and let’s be honest, can you really tell the difference between 2.7 seconds and 3.4? Maybe, but straight line speed isn’t all the hype, even if you can repeatedly launch the Porsche from a standstill with a simple, no caffuffle system until kingdom come – gone are days of clutch replacements after 5 rare moments of bliss.

The Porsche is special, not because its rapid or because of its charming looks or even because it delivers just a magical driving experience. It’s a combination of all three, and more.

Power delivery is noticeably different to other turbo-charged sports cars, power and torque build as the revs increase similar to that of a naturally aspirated setup, there is no instant spike of torque. In fact under, 3 000 rpm the Porsche doesn’t have much at all, but in this car you don’t spend much time in the lower range anyway, it kind of eggs you on and says “push me, I dare you”.

The three driving modes really help to set the mood with normal, sport and sport +. If you are looking to leave the week behind with a flat-6 symphony and driving dynamics similar to that of a racecar, then sport + is the place to be, while keeping it all fairly under control – not that’s it’s easy to unstick the rear of the 911 GTS due to the sheer amount of grip available. It’s worth noting that in the centre of the mode dial is a little button – called Sport Response, once pushed every ounce that the Porsche 911 GTS can provide is at your disposal for just 20 seconds – use it wisely. Another turn of the mode dial will engage sport mode, which is a little step back but still encourages a spirited drive and gives the pops and bangs from the sports exhaust system which we all seem to love. Then there is normal mode which as the name suggests, is probably the most boring mode to be in. For me though, this is where the magic happens.

Why? Because normal mode displays one of the 911’s most beautiful strengths – being able to drive it every day, comfortably. The cabin is a very nice place to be and the systems are fairly easy to use. With the engine response and noise toned down inline with gearbox easing off, the 911 can be driven like a normal car. Further to this, the suspension also has a little more give and with the touch of a button the front end can be raised for those nasty sleeping policeman, especially as the GTS runs 10 mm lower than the standard 911.

Conclusion

When you buy a Porsche, you are not just buying a sports car, you are buying into a brand, a lifestyle and of course, heritage. It may be subliminal but this is also transferred through to the driver right from when you hit the start button.

Of Course, a GT3 is a thoroughbred track day aimed vehicle, whereas the Turbo S is more powerful, faster and features 4-wheel drive – which isn’t always a bonus. Both of these vehicles come with the increased price tag which may be out of reach for many and that is the other beauty of the 911 GTS – it’s terribly quick, terribly fantastic to drive and terribly well-suited to everyday use. The GTS certainly isn’t the fastest, nor is it the most expensive sports car on the road, but from a pure driving experience it really could be one of the most special – it’s a true sports car and could be all the Porsche you ever need.

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Has Arrived

The most powerful, street-legal Porsche ever – This is a title which has been associated with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS for many years. Its rear wheel drive setup along with the same twin-turbo engine found in the 911 Turbo has earned this car a more infamous title, “the widow maker”.

It has been over six years since Porsche released their last 911 GT2 RS, with many thinking that there would never be another new model. Over the last year there has been more and more evidence towards the idea that Porsche will release another widow maker. Finally, the 991.2 911 GT3’s big brother has arrived.

The Specs

This is the part that most people are interested in, and you will be happy to know that the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS retains its title as the most powerful, street-legal Porsche ever.

It produces a staggering 515 kW (700 bhp) and 750 Nm of Torque, which as you can imagine, delivers a very fast 0 – 100 km/h time of 2.7 seconds. Take this with a pinch of salt, as we all know that Porsche underestimates their performance figures.

As previously mentioned, the 911 GT2 RS uses the same engine found in the 911 Turbo S; the difference being is that the GT2 uses bigger turbochargers, along with an additional cooling system which sprays water on the inter-coolers when the intake air reaches a certain temperature.

Chassis

Along with these accentuated performance figures comes a chassis that can handle it. The GT2 features rear wheel steering, ultra high-performance tyres, aggressive aero as seen with the mighty rear wing and Carbon Ceramic brakes as standard. One will also find many carbon fibre bits and pieces on the exterior and interior of this beast, to keep its weight down.

Even further weight reduction can be introduced with the optional Weissach package, which saves around 30kgs. To achieve this, large elements of the car are replaced with more carbon fibre parts, such as the roof and anti-roll bars. Another big chunk of this weight saving comes from the forged magnesium wheels included in this package, will also improve unsprung weight which comes with its own benefits.

Regarding safety, the 911 GT2 RS does feature a two stage Traction Control system which is tuned for “ spirited driving”. After-all, It doesn’t have the nickname “Widow Maker” for no reason.

The Porsche 911 GT2 RS has always been an extreme, exciting road going race car, and the new 2018 model is no different. Personally, I am a big fan of Porsche, especially the GT range and it is awesome to see the GT2 RS back. A big shout out to them for creating cars like this and keeping the passion in the automotive world strong. If you are lucky enough to own one of these beauties, enjoy it, but just make sure you know how to drive.

We drive the new Porsche Panamera 4S.

The people at Porsche must suffer from an obsessive compulsive disorder. This ailment is to our benefit though, as their need for precision has created one of the most functional luxury cars available. Spending time in the new Porsche Panamera was an experience that marvelled us for various reasons we will explain.

The Looks:

It’s almost standard procedure in this segment to design a vehicle that expresses your monetary status in a somewhat brash way. If you look at what the Italians make for instance, it screams “look at me, I’m wealthy and my cousin Enzo is wealthy too.” The other German counterparts say “I’m in politics and my driver is on speed dial should the traffic get heavy.” Nothing is wrong with any of that, but for those who want to quietly go about their business in an understated manner, the Panamera ticks all the boxes. A few years ago, this model was the butt of many a joke. This new design, however, has shut the critics up in the same manner someone would, after losing a considerable amount of weight and obtaining a new wardrobe. It’s a sleeker look, modernised and very “911-ish” which is quite the compliment.

The exterior, in my opinion, is appealing, yet the interior is simply marvellous. Sitting inside it feels like a technological cocoon of functionality and modernity. The simplest of things keep me pleased and one of those simple things offered in the Panamera first and foremost, is Apple CarPlay. The amount of near death experiences I’ve had whilst trying to pair a phone to a car are far too many to recount. With CarPlay, a simple plug into my device and I’m ready to live another day. The infotainment system on the Panamera is not just for picking tunes, but rather it is the hub for all things in the car. Media, Navigation, Vehicle Dynamics and even the air-conditioning is all customisable using the screen. If you want to keep the touch screen unit clean, you do have the option to use the touch-sensitive buttons around the gear shifter.

The rear of the Panamera is not aimed for the world’s tallest man and his three children, but rather two persons who will enjoy the individualised set-up. A secondary screen centralised for the rear occupants allows them to interact with navigation and media, as well as control certain features in the car. Overall a strong element of sportiness is embodied in the inside of the Panamera, something you don’t quite expect until you turn the switch and start the vehicle.

Driving the Porsche Panamera 4S

Previously, anything other than the turbo variant was not mind blowing in terms of performance in the Panamera range. The new Panamera however is a very deceiving vehicle as it uses a 2.9 litre Twin Turbo V6 which howls on start-up, giving you an idea that it can go fast. Only when you accelerate for the first time do you remember that the brochure did in fact tell you that this car produces 324kW and 550N.m, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.2 seconds. This power is delivered in a very composed manner, allowing you to adjust your tie and rush for a meeting at the same time. It’s only when you activate launch control that it’s advisable to keep any hot liquids away from your person, as the results will not be pleasant if you do not, I assure you. Dynamically the Panamera is a large vehicle so you don’t expect it to be incredible at handling. You’d be wrong as it can swing it’s hips and do the cha cha in a way that befits a car much smaller in size.

Which takes us back to this obsessive compulsive disorder that Porsche has. Their goal is to make everything work exceedingly well in this car. From the space it offers you, to its road manners and even the way it sounds, it does a sterling job at being very good at everything. As a result, it’s a tough car to find fault with. Who buys it then? The person who requires space, space a 911 cannot provide. In essence, the Panamera is a 911 with four doors. The everyday sports car with everyday practicality. It does not shout to the world that it’s worth R1.6 million, but it does have a presence about it. It still makes a powerful statement when you arrive anywhere in it. It says a lot without saying much. For the driver focused buyer in need of a luxury vehicle, this car answers many questions and then some.

Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

From when I was little, the Porsche 911 has always been one of my favourite cars. I am unsure of where my love came for this brand, but it may have started when I was shoved in the front loading area or “trunk” by my father. This was his way of demonstrating the ample space available. Come to think of it, I’ve been pretty Claustrophobic since then… For a period of time, I did fall out of this love affair as I felt Porsche went through a funny design stage which I didn’t really like.

In recent years though my love affair has been reignited due to some of the drop-dead gorgeous cars coming out of the Porsche Factory. Yesterday this feeling became even more potent with the unveiling the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. In short, it’s a more powerful, more luxurious and limited production 911 Turbo S. Could this be one of the prettiest Porsches ever?

500 models will be produced featuring an exclusive golden yellow metallic finish and various carbon fibre components such as the front trunk lid, roof, and side skirts. Contrasting with the unique golden paint are two exposed Carbon Fibre strips running the length of the vehicle. Other exterior colours are available, but I think you will agree that this specific colour looks very special. My favourite exterior feature is the alloy wheel design, its large central design with thin spokes branching off and featuring a golden edge looks exquisite, possibly one of the prettiest alloy wheel designs out there.

The interior follows the same theme with golden yellow accents on interior elements such as the Alcantara roof and seats. Carbon Fibre trims have integrated fine copper thread which emphasises this car’s exclusivity and sheer class. These subtle features make for a fantastic cabin which I would not mind spending many a weekend in. You can’t drive a car like this to work every day, can you? Only if you want your employees to demand a raise.

Apart from the Exclusive Series striking design and styling elements, it also features more power than a standard Porsche 911 Turbo S with 447 kW (607 bhp) and 750 Nm of Torque on tap. An increase of around 20 kW. This results in a 0 – 100 km/h time of 2.8 seconds and a 0 – 200km/h of just 9.8 seconds with a top speed of 330 km/h. Pretty fast.

The Porsche Exclusive Series can also be experienced when away from the vehicle, with the optional five-piece luggage set costing $6000. Further to this, a custom titanium watch can also be ordered which will tie in and match the colour and design of your Porsche, a price for this has yet to be determined.

There is talk of the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series available to order in South Africa for around R4 Million.

1 Millionth Porsche 911 rolls of the production line

In 1964 the first Porsche 911 was produced at the headquarters in Zuffenhausen. What led in the following years was a sports car which became iconic not only on the road, but also on the racetrack.

On 11th May 2017, 54 years later and in the same location, the 1 millionth Porsche 911 rolled of the production line. This is an impressive achievement for the brand which few have had the opportunity to experience.

When an occasion like this happens, it is only right to make it special and that’s what Porsche did. This 1 millionth Porsche 911 is a one-off piece celebrating 54 years of history.

This specific 911 model is based on the Carrera S with a performance pack, this results in 331 kW or 450 hp. This is nice, but it doesn’t really matter on such a special car like this. For me, it is more about the exquisite details that have gone into making the 1 millionth 911 even more special.

It all starts with the paint: Irish Green. Why Irish Green? Well this was the favourite colour of Porsche’s founder, Ferry Porsche, who owned one of the first ever Porsche 911’s in Irish Green. This colour has been available to order as an individual colour since 1965.

The real special touches can be found on the interior. The seats for example are embraced with hand made covers with the centres featuring the original pepita pattern from 1964. The circular instruments and Sport Chrono clock feature silver surrounds, just as the original. The steering wheel is also a very unique element with a beautiful handmade mahogany rim and the original 1964 Porsche crest settled in the centre. In line with the steering wheel, mahogany and many other unique features have been added to this special 911, such as the bonnet crest, wheel hub covers, painted brake calipers and the beautiful 911 logo in gold on the rear. In fact, there are too many details to cover everything in writing, so I’m going to let the images do the talking.

This is one special Porsche which will be held and kept by Porsche AG. Before it heads to its permanent home at the Porsche Museum, it will be embarking on a world tour. I personally think Porsche should release some limited edition 911 models with the same spec as this very car, it would be awesome to see them grace our local road.

The new 911 GT3 Nürburgring lap time.

The Porsche 991.2 911 GT3 may look very similar to its predecessor but under the skin much has changed. This is proven by the official lap time set by the 991.2 GT3 around the legendary Nürburgring. A track which seems to be proving ground for fast cars. “If you can drive fast on the Nordschleife, you can drive fast anywhere in the world”, Frank-Steffen Walliser commented.

The new Porsche GT3 set a lap time of 7 minutes and 12 seconds. That, my friends, is 12.3 seconds faster than the previous generation 991 GT3. That is a very fast time and a big improvement which shows the changes to the GT3 really do make a difference. Read about the changes here: The New Porsche 991.2 GT3 Has Changed More Than You Think.

It’s worth noting this time was set on Michelin Sport Cup 2 N1 tyres which come standard with the Porsche 991.2 GT3.

There is currently no official time for the GT3 RS, Although some have rumored it set a time of 7 minutes and 20 seconds, in the wet. The official time set by the GT3 has also sparked rumors suggesting a sub 7 minute lap time from the upcoming Window Maker – the GT2.

This could mean a production car lap record if it beats the claimed time of the time Lamborhini Huracan Performante – 6 Minutes and 52 seconds, which many are saying never happened…

More than a manufacturer – Porsche Training and recruitment centre opens in Cape Town.

For car brands operating in South Africa, selling vehicles is of course a priority. After the sale is done however, there needs to be a system in place to ensure that the customer will have the correct after sales support. Service and maintenance is key to retain a customer, as any brand will want to create long lasting relationships with clients. South Africa is a country with an immensely active automotive industry. With thousands of vehicles being bought monthly, all these cars need to be maintained. This is where a potential challenge lies. The youth are the future and the automotive sector is not an area many young people are investing their time in. Specifically amongst the service department. Schools strongly encourage young ones to embrace softer skills, with manual labour being sidelined. This creates a conundrum as physical skills are and will be of great need to various industries for decades to come. Plumbers, mechanics and builders are an essential part of the workforce, without them many industries would fail. The high rate of unemployment is another issue being faced in South Africa, with many members of the youth battling to obtain employment. So it was with a warm heart then, that I listened to the team at Porsche South Africa and Don Bosco Salesian Insitute Youth Projects tell us about the initiative they had started in South Africa.

Cape Town is the starting point for the Porsche Training and Recruitment Centre – a programme designed to give disadvantaged youth a chance at succeeding in life. The aim in simple, over three years 75 men and women will be trained as service mechatronic engineers. This training does not limit the students to work for Porsche exclusively, but will allow them to use their skills within the entire Volkswagen Group. The first selection of the candidates has taken place, giving a fantastic opportunity to 24 young men and women to begin training. The facilities offered are world class, providing two seminar rooms and a workshop with vehicles to be used by the trainees.

The stories behind the programme:

An initiative like this sounds is great to hear about, but actually seeing the young people’s appreciation for this is what melts the heart. Coming from various cultures, a unified spirit of determination is seen in all the candidates. The young men and women are not only happy to represent themselves, but they are happiest to be representing their families and communities. It’s as much of an achievement for those around them, than it is for themselves, because their story has the potential to represent hope for those following them. Hard work will be required to succeed and there is no mollycoddling of the candidates as was clearly shown by Uwe Huck. Huck, who is the Chair of the Porsche Group Works Council is a man who sees himself in each of the candidates chosen. Coming from a difficult background, he knows the importance of hard work, perseverance and of course, education.

Uwe had the following to say about this programme – “Education is something that concerns us all and must not be a privilege. Nobody is too stupid to get an education, but you have to put in the hard work. We have to take on those who – for whatever reason – appear to stand no chance. They do: It is our task to unlock the potential hidden inside every person, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or the colour of their skin. Porsche has always fostered a social corporate culture and it is important and part of our duty to lead by example and show the way rather than to turn a blind eye.” Clearly then a man so passionate about the community is the right person to lead these young people to success.

The South African automotive sector needs more programmes like these as this will ensure that “fresh blood” enters into the car game. As new technology is constantly introduced in cars, young people are the best individuals to be trained to work with these cars, as the millennial generation grasp new technology very easily. Porsche South Africa and the Volkswagen Group are to be commended for not only giving back, but also ensuring brand sustainability. By investing in disadvantaged youth, this programme and others like these, help give those that wouldn’t have a chance to make a difference for themselves and their community. It also ensures that skilled individuals will be around for longer, making a vital industry in our economy thrive. Young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are welcome to apply for the courses – this is extended to those who possess vocational training already and those who are in need of basic skills. The overall programme ethos is one of providing hope and skills development, something needed by many young ones in South Africa.

The Porsche GT3 has always been an iconic supercar since its launch in 1999, being a car built for the track but very much usable on the road, it became very popular and sort after.

This is still the case 18 years on, the 911 GT3 has evolved over the years and each new model Porsche produces looks sexier, sportier and more refined. No changes here then, as the 991.2 is exactly that.

If one were to glance at this new model, you might not notice much difference, that’s because the changes with this car are in the details. Under its beautiful shell are where the biggest changes over the 991 lie.

Aerodynamics

There are new, larger intakes which sit under the rear wing,these intakes send air directly into the throttle bodies and at high speeds a ram effect occurs which Porsche say boosts power by up to (26 Kw) 20bhp.

Looking closely, one would also notice changes to the rear diffuser, these changes along with the tweaks to the front bumper, and the new channels under the car which accelerates the air to the rear diffuser, give this 991.2 GT3 over 20% more downforce than the previous model. That is around 160kg at top speed, interestingly, this extra downforce does not come at a cost, as the drag coefficient has not increased, because of clever Porsche technicians.

The Engine

The 2018 GT3 still features a four litre flat six, with a power output of 500bhp/373Kw and 460N.m. This may sound similar to the previous 991 GT3, but the new engine is based on the engines that are now used in Porsche Race cars, such as the GT3 R and 911 RSR. This means it features a bigger, more solid crankshaft which is drilled to allow oil to be fed into the conrod bearing. This has a number of benefits, such as being able to decrease the oil pressure which means there is less resistance, better efficiency, better cooling and better lubrication.

Further to this, the engine has new pistons, new rings and a new internal bore which features a very slippery material, this once again, reduces friction and increases efficiency.

Finally the GT3 engine also has a rigid valve train instead of a hydraulic system. The benefit of this is that the oil pressure can once again be reduced further. Plus, resistance of the whole valvetrain unit is reduced by 20%.

Previously, these systems needed regular adjustment which could only be done with the engine removed, this is not an issue for a racecar, but for a car built on the road, it kind of is. Porsche is using new technology here which means that for 300 000kms or the lifetime of the engine, it won’t need to be touched.

All of the above means the GT3 will rev to 9000 RPM and have a 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds with the PDK system, or 3.8 seconds with the six-speed manual option. What? Manual? We should probably talk about that.

Manual Transmission

One of the biggest changes to this GT3 is that Porsche have included the six-speed manual transmission as an option, this is the same unit that is found in the 911 R.

This optional is at no cost, so can you choose between Manual or PDK without it affecting your bank balance and sleepless nights when you try and weigh up which is better and if one option is worth the extra cash. Obviously, the PDK system is faster and if you are chasing lap times or using this car as a daily drive (crazy) This would be the sensible option.

If you are purist, though, who isn’t to fussed with the above, manual would be the only way to go, a true drivers setup.

Suspension

The suspension has also been fine-tuned, the 991.2 now features helper springs from the RS, and the interior mechanisms of the dampers have been tuned for less resistance, along with this, there is improvements with the chassis and rear axle steering has been developed further.

Overview

The 991.2 GT3 is not a new car, it’s a detailed improvement which has included much refinement over its predecessor. The goal here for Porsche seems to be that they wanted an increase in efficiency from many areas of the vehicle. The brake calipers for example, have new interior piston settings to make sure that the pads do not touch the disc at all when not applied, or we could even look at the new production processes used on the exterior bumpers which saves over 1 kg on each end of car. It’s worth noting that Porsche have also patented this production process.

It is nice to see this kind of attention to detail from a manufacturer. We have no news yet as to when this awesome vehicle will be coming to South Africa, but when it does, we’re pretty sure it will be very hard to get hold of one. It’s safe to say, then, that my favourite car just got better.

Many moons ago, if you wanted space for your things, you needed a shooting-brake. Designed to cart Archibald, Terence the rest of the yoohoo brigade and all of their guns and dogs to and from their shoots, the shooting break was the epitome of utilitarian coolness with its space and pizazz. Then, for some odd reason, an unfortunate turn in the history books lead to the uprising of the station-wagon. For those of us fortunate enough to have been given the gift of sight, though, the station-wagon was a bit of a conundrum because while it had all the space in the world for hoarders to return from antique fares with things that they didn’t need, they also had an aesthetic appeal somewhat akin to that of a hoarder. Dogs, guns and the idle rich were quickly replaced by Julia Roberts in waist-high denims and 2.4 vomiting children with the appeal of practical motoring just a glimmer on the horizon.

Right through all of this, though, hunting folk still needed to cart their hounds and rounds around so while numbers of shooting-brakes seemed to dwindle, coachbuilders, in the UK in particular, kept the art alive. Fast forward to the 21st century and now we are utterly spoilt for choice!

Station wagons are no longer ugly but, more importantly, the shooting brake is well and alive and Porsche have just pulled the covers of their much anticipated Panamera Sport Turismo.

Essentially a Panamera with a big booty, literally, the Sport Turismo shares its underpinnings with its rakish counterpart but now with added practicality. Not to say that the Panamera wasn’t already an appealing and practical thing, but now with an additional 20-litres of loading space, you can carry up to 1 390-litres of, well, anything really. The first Panamera to offer seating for 5 humans, the Sport Turismo boasts a 4+1 seating configuration which means that 4 adults and 1 smaller adult/child can experience one of the finest interiors ever to be found within a Porsche.

For those unable to manage their luggage compartments, a luggage compartment management system is available which comprises two rails integrated into the loading floor, four lashing points and a luggage compartment partition net.

A segment first, the Sport Turismo’s spoiler is of the adaptive kind and can be extended depending on the driving situation, generating up to 50 kg of additional downforce on the rear axle. Above 90 km/h when in Sport or Sport Plus, the roof spoiler automatically assumes the “performance position” which is a cool way of saying it moves by 1 degree. If not in either of these modes, “performance position” will automatically be assumed above 170 km/h. Cleverly, the roof spoiler is also able to alter its angle by anything up to 26 degrees in order to minimise wind noise when the Panamera’s panoramic sunroof is open – try saying that fast.

Five motors are available at launch with outputs ranging from 243 kW in the Panamera 4 Sport Tursimo to 404 kW in the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. Aside from the sea of test-units we have recently been spotting all over South Africa, expect to see the first units on our shores towards the end of 2017.